Life in a Venti Cup. Because life is too short to think small.

August 04, 2011

Show Me Your Dallas

I've really got to get better about tooting my own horn. So here we go. Toot too, beep beep as they say in disco songs!

Remember the Show Me Your Dallas feature I began a few months back? The point was to connect with these amazing girls I'd met online before moving to Dallas last winter. Each of them were given the opportunity to show me "their" version of this incredible city and play the role of stylish tour guide. Let me tell you, these girls did NOT disappoint!

It became such an affair that the Dallas Morning News got word of my adventures in coolfinding. A few calls, a few emails, an interview and photoshoot later... voila. Front (and back!) page of the Life & Style section on the 4th of July weekend issue of the paper. Full color. How's that for a welcome to town? Since the online article is only available to subscribers, you'll need to download the PDF here.

Why did I do it? There's nothing like exploring a city through the eyes of local experts and fellow design-minded girls. And trust me, the ones I chose were amazing at highlighting amazing hidden resources and fabulous boutiques.

Who was this chic posse? Interior designer extraordinaire Emily Johnston, award-winning designer Elaine Williamson, IBB showroom co-owner and designer Shay Geyer, talented designer Kyle Knight, graphic designer and social media vixen Sandra Evans, local Dallas interior design celebrity Beth Dotolo were first on the schedule.

Honestly, everyone was amazing, gracious and incredibly generous with their time and attention. I couldn't have chosen a better team to go on playdates with. The best part? Loved them all and genuinely feel it was th ebest way to kickstart offline friendships. Dallas is a city of fabulius people, but these girls are all at the top of their game and it shows.

There are still more posts to come, as it takes a while to recreate the whirlwind tours of the city on the blog. But stay tuned, as I have three very talented girls left to feature: The talented and stylish Haley Schultheis of Nonsense & Senibility, product designer Erin of Global Views, and interior designer Abbe Fenimore of Studio Ten 25. We completed our outings ages ago but I've been too caught up with client work to post them. Girls... stay tuned ;)

In the meantime, read all of the adventures here.

Last but not least, my heartfelt thanks go out to features writer Jamie Knodel from the DMN. Jamie, you found my blog, saw the feature as newsworthy and really made this a terrific experience from start to finish. I can't thank you enough, Jamie, for authoring the piece so generously and for spending so much of your company's precious colored ink on me and my girls. I am delighted to call you a new friend as well. Thank you.

Posted at 08:31 AM in coolfinding, culture, dallas, designers, destinations, fabulousness, interior design, show me your dallas, style | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

April 30, 2011

Show Me Your Dallas, Elaine Williamson

Elaine Williamson. Where do I begin? I'll start with saying we had far too little time together on our morning excursion. We met at our favorite Starbucks (turns out we don't live so far away from one another) and got so caught up talking - and I mean REALLY talking - that the morning began to slip away faster than you can say doppio espresso.

Elaine is something of a design phenomenon. Though she'll downplay her success, she runs a widely recognized design business. Elaine Williamson Designs is a full service luxury interior design firm, and this girl has mad skills. She and her team have been winning accolades and awards (not to mention happy clients) for two decades. It's no wonder she boasts such a broad Texan smile, she has many stylish reasons to be happy.

Beyond that (and sorry, E, but someone has to toot your horn. Beep! Beep!) she's as genuinely nice as a person can be. After each of these outings I leave thrilled to have met another incredible female, but Elaine might truly be the winner of the Venti Bestie Award (note to self: design said award certificate). Although we'd met a time or two before in High Point, this was our first real "girl to girl" moment together. We instinctively gabbed like long lost pals and spent a good hour or so dishing up on everything under the sun. (Seriously, Elaine - where have you been all of my adult life? I desperately needed those laughs and frank conversations.)

Once we'd reached optimum caffeine levels she led me down the street to The Shops at Starwood. This lovely little shopping destination is a regular haunt of mine. The Cupcakery, Paper Affair, Panache, Green Peridot and others make up a select group of merchants occupying space at this glamorous center. My husband and I regularly pop in for some of the area's best sushi at Kotta. Something about The Shops always makes me think of Scottsdale, Arizona. Palm trees swaying overhead, barrel tile roofs and a specific shade (putty?) of stucco romance me in ways that only destination shopping can do.

Where did she lead me? An adorable children's boutique called Dimples and Dandelions. Interestingly, I knew of the shop before moving to the area. They have a terrific web presence and I've been an online customer for years. But stepping into the boutique took my shopping experience to an entirely new level.

The husband & wife owners Wendy and Michael are very selective with the brands they choose to carry and the products on display. Finely crafted beds, unique gifts and some of the prettiest clothing I've seen occupy this glamorous little boutique. It is well merchandised, beautifully presented and just so lovingly presented.

Wendy's interior design background is obvious from floor to ceiling. Sparkling chandeliers and thoughtful design details make this boutique an enchanting place to visit. I genuinely love this store. My favorite feature? In the back corner there is a children's lounge outfitted with toys, an LCD television and an antique settee. Between this feature and the attentive staff a busy mom can almost always get some actual shopping done. Smart.

During our visit I had the pleasure of meeting Wendy in person. She's as gracious and friendly as the rest of her staff. I can see why this boutique is bustling with customers every time I visit. Good customer service is hard to find, and her team offers personal attention far beyond what is expected. {By the way, they are in the running for Best Children's Boutique in Dallas by D Magazine. If you're a fan, be sure to vote!}

Elaine... I had the most lovely time out with you. Next time let's add lunch to our itinerary to fuel us for the day ahead. We've got much more to chat about and I think some fine food is in order to celebrate our blossoming friendship. Thank you again for showing me your Dallas!

Posted at 05:29 PM in dallas, designers, glamorous gifts, interior design, luxury, shopping, show me your dallas, venti favorites | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

Show Me Your Dallas, Shay Geyer

Ask a native Dallas girl to show you her city, and you'll need to brace yourself for a whirlwind of an adventure. Shay Geyer, daughter of remarkable designer & entrepreneur Beth Rafferty, took on the challenge with glee. We began our busy day at IBB Design, the family-owned showroom where she spends her days. If you're wondering, the "B" in IBB stands for Beth. Shay is second-generation Dallas design royalty and it shows in everything she does.

The showroom itself offers two floors of some of the best brands in the furniture business. Shay and I have had the pleasure of meeting a few times in High Point. We're both guilty of spending too much time in the Hickory Chair showroom. That appreciation for fine quality is reflected in the pieces on display at her business. Room upon room of beautifully styled vignettes featuring Henredon, Maitland-Smith, Century, Barclay Butera, Thomas O'Brien & Suzanne Kasler for Hickory Chair and other greats humble even the most seasoned ASID member.

IBB itself is a full service interior design business. The showroom serves as both retail showroom and to-the-trade resource, making it a must-see for anyone with a penchant for design. I've been in a few times myself, but never seem to canvas the entire property. When you go, don't miss the glistening John Richard room. {Insider tip: Don't see what you're looking for? Ask for a peek inside the attached warehouse and prepare to have your breath taken away.}

Next, we ventured to the Design District for a visit to one of her favorite art galleries, Samuel Lynne Galleries. Shay expressed such fondness for the works of JD Miller, a "reflectionist" (his words) who is the great mind behind a method he refers to as acrylic sculpting. Rather than flat, framed works, JD's pieces have a true depth to them that makes them almost leap from the canvas. We were blessed to discover he was in that morning, and he was gracious enough to share his methodology and his inspiration.

As lovely as his work was (and it is glorious) it was the artist's personality and warmth that made me an instant fan. he believes that we are all responsible for producing positivity and good energy. His works are his way of giving out what he seeks to return. Just listening to him speak was enough to make me want to rush home and begin expressing my own good works.

For a real treat, be sure to attend a live in-studio event on May 21. JD will demonstrate his signature 3-D oil technique from 6-9 that evening. It's an experience you surely will not want to miss. RSVP here.

After seeing so much color and beauty, it was going to be difficult for our next stop to impress. But leave it to a Dallas event to blow away any predetermined expectations. Just after the clock struck noon we were elbow to elbow with fellow fashionistas at Stephanie Anne in Highland Park Village. If any city honors it's own, it's Dallas. Stephanie Anne is a multi-talented designer with a remarkable eye for style. She transformed her home accessory showroom into a DJ-spinning, champagne serving charity fête. We were in another world the moment we walked in the door.

The Super 10 Event served two purposes: it introduced her new line of glamorous jewelry and supported 10 remarkable charities. As attendees sipped cocktails and chatted, we were treated to a fashion show of her colorful and flowy jersey dresses and her impressively hand-crafted gold jewelry. Think: Egyptian royalty and you're almost there. Her pieces reminded me of those found on Pharoahs in ancient Egypt. This is no ordinary collection, and Stephanie Anne (by coincidence, a St. Louis native) is no ordinary entrepreneur. These 24K gold-dipped pieces are sure to be a hit.

As a fellow entrepreneur, I can't wait to see what she launches next. It's fun to see someone turn their stylish vision into reality. Swing by the glamorous boutique to see the pieces in person. Or... take note that Neiman Marcus will also be carrying her fine, fabulous pieces. Stephanie, I'll be seeing you again soon!

Like two modern-day Cinderellas, Shay and I soon realized that 1:30 was upon us and we had to return to reality. Translation: in the middle of this fun day of play and projects we have little ones, both of whom were due to be picked up from school in minutes. Our moments in crystal slippers were fading quickly and it was time to jump back to reality. Time to roll!

Looking back, I'm not sure how Shay does it all. Later that night she headed back out for an industry party honoring the launch of D Home Magazine's new blog. She's a very busy girl and I appreciated her taking time out to show me her version of the city. She's deeply woven into the fabric of this city's busy social scene and effortlessly glides from one role to the next.

Shay, thank you for such a fun outing. I look forward to our next adventure, as I know you still have dozens of fun locations up your sleeve! Hopefully we'll have a bit more time!

Posted at 09:07 AM in art, celebrities, dallas, designers, events, fabulousness, fashion, jewelry, luxury, show me your dallas, success | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

April 11, 2011

Show Me Your Dallas, Kyle Knight

I doubled the fun last week with two nearly back to back Show Me Your Dallas outings. Wednesday fellow entrepreneur Kyle Knight and I finally had the opportunity to meet. We've been bumping into each other a lot online recently and once I realized she was in town I knew we had to connect. Something told me we had quite a bit in common. My instincts were spot on, as the outgoing blond was my perfect companion and a certainly knew her territory.

Kyle authors the design blog Knight Moves. She will tell you she's all interiors and no fashion - don't believe her. This stylish Texan knows how to rock her heels and skinny white jeans on a hot spring day and was privy to Jason Wu's appearance at Neiman Marcus the next day (have I mentioned how much I love this city?). Her love of style carries over into her passion interiors. For proof catch this lovely photo tour of her home on La Dolce Vita blog. As we introduced ourselves and connected the dots in our lives, it was clear we were up for a fun great morning.

Her agenda? Two fantastic shops that were worlds apart - physically and aesthetically. First up: Ceylon et Cie, a shop overflowing with eclectic style. Owned by lauded interior designer Michelle Nussbaumer, every square inch of this Design District boutique offers a new visual adventure. Michelle is something of a phenomenon. She's been in every shelter publication you can imagine and is consistently ranked amongst the top designers in the field. She was out that day, but her team was incredibly helpful in making us feel welcome and informed. We were delighted to fawn over samples of her new textile line. Our universal favorite was an ikat-inspired fabric with a golden shimmery finish. When the light hit it just right it offered a remarkable gilded finish. Dreamy - and certainly one to bookmark for future projects.

"Boutique" might not be the right for Ceylon et Cie, as that implies small size. The shop is actually fairly large and is comprised of many rooms. Just when you feel you've covered it all you realize there's yet another series of vignettes to admire. Each one with it's own story and and style. It is impossible to pigeon hole her taste, other than to say it encompasses the full spectrum of style from every era and destination imaginable.

Proprietor Michelle's global travels reveal themselves everywhere. Fabrics stacked on a chest were surely sourced at some far-flung bazaar. Architectural objects scattered about radiated ancient European elegance. Between the exotic touches and thrilling patterns were moments of pure minimal elegance. A personal favorite were lovely glass and metal tables Kyle and I both loved. In the midst of it all what I wanted to see most was the passport book(s) it surely takes to create such a marvelous inventory. All beautufully displayed and thoughtfully grouped. This is an absolute MUST on anyone's Dallas trip.

Antiques, exotic imports, furnishings, jewelry and objects of Michelle's own design rounded out this sunny, lovely store. The perfect start to our day and a "must see" if you're visiting. While there, be sure to examine her beautiful Rock Candy collection, a series of lamps and glamorous boxes sure to add shimmer and shine to your home.

After hopping in our cars and cruising across town we landed at WIlliam-Christopher Design, the storefront of residential design dynamos W. Tyson Burks and Christopher Ridolfi. Christopher was our incredibly gracious host the day we visited. Can I just say, I LOVED this shop. It is housed in a bright airy space with natural light streaming in through sheer planels. For a moment you're sure you've been transported to Southern California - always a good thing.

My mind had fully absorbed the visual splendor of our previous stop, so I was delighted to see that William-Christopher merchandises with a more Spartan hand. It was a bit of a Goldilocks situation. Not too little or too much on display: it was just right. The sound of our heels walking on the hardwood floors gave you the feeling you were at a stylish friend's home for a milling about. That congenial feeling was much attributed to the amiable Christopher, who couldn't have been more generous with his time.

The overall vibe was an interesting blend of natural materials, plus a hint of the exotic mixed with an ever so slight Mid-Century edge. Clean, raw, intriguing. I liked it. I liked it a lot. Spattered about the shop were custom pieces, one-of-a-kind antiques and a nice array of new pillows, lamps, light fixtures and candles. The mélange surely makes William-Christopher an indespensible resource for the city's design elite. I was particularly smitten with the Balinese daybed and those dreamy candles in clusters about the store. I absolutely loved this store and can't wait to return.

As we left, Kyle and I were each treated to one of the candles we'd been admiring. Christopher, you absolutely nailed my home olfactory preference, as this "Copper Canyon" candle from luxe brand Burn Voyage makes my knees buckle. Hallelujah! Thank you so much. See you soon, as I'll absolutely be back for a few more!

Another successful outing, and another fabulous new girlfriend. Kyle, love you, doll! Looking forward to our next get together. Thanks again for showing me your Dallas!

Posted at 05:59 AM in dallas, designers, entrepreneurs, furniture, interior design, shopping, show me your dallas | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

April 10, 2011

Show Me Your Dallas, Sandra Evans

As if sensing my need for a leisurely morning with a good friend, Sandra Evans stepped up the plate this Friday with my pitch perfect morning. For those of you just tuning in, I've been exploring Dallas through the eyes of locals. These are girls I've met over the years through blogging, twitter and facebook. In most cases, however, this is our first opportunity to meet in person. Since we relocated I've been building up my army of girlfriends one outing at a time. While the elevator pitch is to see the city and the sights, the real goal is and has always been to have a little fun shopping as only two girls can. For me it's the best way to bond and - if I'm really being honest - my favorite way to spend a day.

What began as an adventure quickly turned into a crazed schedule. I was even interviewed Wednesday by the Dallas Morning News for the endeavor. Seems I'm tapping into a common curiosity among those new to the area as well as those born and bred in the area. In just a few short weeks my days went from laid back to fully packed.

Sandra must have been reading my mind, as her only agenda for us on Friday was to stroll through my favorite shopping center, Highland Park Village. For those not in the know, this is a historic shopping center is a national landmark. Highland Park is Dallas's answer to Beverly Hills. Both were designed by architect Wilbur David Cook. The unique Mediterranean Spanish-style shopping center is a blissful mix of high-end & mid-range shopping with a laid-back vibe that only an outdoor shopping center can deliver. Sandwiched between Chanel and Hermès is a Tom Thumb grocery store and an independent movie theater. For all of the luxury (and there is plenty) the canopy of trees overhead and slow bustle of happy people milling about always has a calming effect on me.

We kicked it off at Starbucks where we spent no time jumping right into conversation about ... well, everything. Sandra is every bit as talented and stylish in person as you'd expect. Not only does she teach graphic design, she also co-owns Small Envelope with Cesar Aragón. They specialize in absolutely gorgeous invitations. She even brought along a sampling of the goods to show me. Incredible work, from a fiercely talented designer.

The more you chat with Sandra the more you realize what a rockstar you have in your midst. Between keeping professional photographer husband Mark happy and teaching her students the tools of the trade she is a panelist at Big Thought, a nonbprofit focused on giving children the opportunities they need in life. Like most of my friends, she's in constant motion, but somehow manages to carve out time for her girls - gotta love that.

But wait... on to the shopping! We didn't make it far on Friday. We spent way too long at Anthropologie noting a dress I'd seen on Tori Spelling this past week and ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the adorable gifts and books for kids. After plundering the sale racks like pros (and coming up empty handed, natch) we headed back out into the plaza for some quick shoe shopping. A quick dash into Tory Burch and a swing past Harry Winston and Hermès we'd already run out of time.

Sandra, next time we're hitting the other side of the plaza and scheduling time for lunch as well. See you soon, doll, and thank you for showing me your Dallas!

Posted at 11:54 AM in architecture, celebrities, dallas, design, graphic design, leisure, luxury, photography, shoes, shopping, show me your dallas | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)

March 27, 2011

Show Me Your Dallas, Beth Dotolo

Continuing my journey deeper into the Dallas design community, I spent Friday morning with the lovely Beth Dotolo of Hello, Splendor. Instantly I was struck by her relaxed, easygoing vibe. But don't mistake her ease for lack of interest. Like most of my designer friends, she's lazer focused, well-informed and manages to balance her left-brain/right-brain traits with aplomb. Love a girl who can dish shoes as easily as she can dole out info on the legalities of being licensed to design in Texas.

Our first stop was the Garden Cafe tucked away in the East Dallas neighborhood of Junius Heights. Had it not been for my Google map, I'd have passed this sleepy little street. Once inside I knew with certainty that the lack of fanfare is by design: it's a special place the locals hope to keep to themselves. Beth and I dined on a beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the very garden that provided so many of the ingredients on our plates. Over our delicious meal we touched on the current state of design blogs, the merits of the NCIDQ and the differences of various Dallas neighbrohoods. I've no idea how long we stayed after our plates were cleared, but it was great to share a bite with another designer with so many of the same thoughts and opinions.

It's easy to see why D Magazine ranks her as one of the city's top designers. She and fellow registered designer Carolina Gentry run Pulp Design. Together they carefully craft incredibly stylish spaces. Rooms that have an inviting quality much like Beth's personality. They ask you to sit back, relax and live in the moment. What a terrific quality in our rush-rush/go-go world.

Her special blend of powerful-creative-force-meets-new-mom came full circle as we stepped next door to the adorable children's boutique, Little Bean. This incredible little boutique is a wonder in an of itself. Owner Christine Visneau expresses her stylish point of view with thoughtfully chosen items, personally sewn apparel (yes, a special line of Little Bean apparel resides amidst other impossibly hip brands) and imaginative local artwork on the walls. It is as much children's boutique as it is art gallery.

The true beauty of the shop, however is on the wall behind the register. Just behind Christine's counter is a massive collection of kid-created art that would melt even the coldest of hearts. Seriously, there's enough Crayola and construction paper back there to start up a craft store. Cutest thing ever. I'm not sure if they were drawn by her two children or were given to her by the children of loyal customers, but it added even more warmth to this already special little boutique. I'll have to ask Christine the story on my next stop into the shop.

Speaking of next time... looking forward to getting together again with my new designer friend at the Cafe (what can we say, the food is insanely good and we both love breakfast. Win-win!) so we can introduce our little ones to one another. Something tells me that morning won't be quite as chill as this one, but I suspect we'll find quite a bit to amuse us.

Stay tuned for more in the series! Next week: Elaine Williamson & Tonia of Chic Modern Vintage.

(By the way, Beth - you are totally right. Kim Catrall should absolutely play you in a movie!)

Posted at 06:51 PM in art, coolfinding, dallas, designers, entrepreneurs, interior design, show me your dallas | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

March 26, 2011

Show Me Your Dallas, Emily Johnston (Part II)

{Part II of my excursion with Emily Johnston of EJ Interiors}

One we'd finished stargazing at Leslie Taylor, Emily and I dug deeper into her hidden Dallas. This is where her knowledge and passion really came through. Emily's secret source of design goodies require you to hunt. First stop: White Elephand Antiques. I'd heard of it, but I'm not normally the antiquing kind of girl. That might be changing....

A good friend of hers owns Gypsy Soul Interiors. As we entered White Elephant and turner right, there was this amazing boot (technically two booths) that blew you away. Overscale paintings, fantastic chairs, a Greek key table (seriously, someone needs to go purchase that table TODAY) and a nicely chosen group of other items rounded out the scene. This wasn't at all like my previous forays into antiquing. These were carefully curated items dying to be snatched up and seen in a new light. Yes, the chairs could use reupholstering, and maybe the table would look even better with a mirrored top (Emily's brilliant idea) but it really gave me an insight into her design ethos. This is no off the rack designer, clearly she's willing to shop smart and find the perfect item for each and every project. No wonder her portfolio is littered with glowing reviews - she earns those accolades.

Next we popped over to Found, a shop my hairdresser had clued me into (hi, Daniel!) a week or so ago. It's one of a pair that are cleverly named Lost and Found. Isn't that cute? We only made it into Found on Wednesday - but my wallet is grateful. Found is truly a wondrous place. They are trade friendly (meaning professional designers are offered a discount with proper credentials) and sure to be a regular stop on my trips into the district. I had a particularly difficult time leaving behind a Neiman Marcus pop-up book.

We did finally make it back to Again & Again - which was such a lovely place that I'll save it for another post. Emily - thank you so much for such a marvelous morning and for your incredible peek at insider's Dallas. I knew there were hidden gems around the corner and you certainly proved me right. What a treasure trove of design goodness.

Stay tuned for more of this journey of Dallas through the eyes of local designers and aficionados (or perhaps I ought to call them aficionadas?). There's much more to come, as I spent yesterday morning on a laughter filled excursion with one of Dallas's top 10 interior designers Beth Dotolo. Stay tuned for more!

Posted at 10:58 AM in coolfinding, dallas, designers, entrepreneurs, furniture, interior design, shopping, show me your dallas | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

March 25, 2011

Next Stop: StellaDallas

After a fun breakfast with Beth Dotolo I popped into StellaDallas. It's the kind of shop you pass constantly, as it faces busy Lover's Lane. The catch is, you have to time it just right to snag a parking space. Today was my lucky day, and I was greeted by owner Amber Davidson.

This little gem of a shop is a goldmine of wonderful things. Vintage tables sit alongside luxurious John Robshaw pillows and scarves (fresh arrivals, by the way). Carefully chosen items from Missoni and Russel + Hazel are just a few of the brands you'll find in this colorful little shop. Honestly, it's a shame it tool me this long to pull in and check it out. The entire back of the store is brimming with gorgeous paper goods (cards, journals, notebooks etc) and so beautifully merchandised you can't help but touch it all.

The front two thirds of the shop is the real showstopper though. One of a kind cabinets and art sit alongside colorful linens. A bank of pillows line one of the side walls. Murano glass chandeliers and vintage fixtures dangle overhead. And I haven't even touched upon the sofas, beds and tables that pepper the scene. (Shhh...Don't tell anyone, but this is THE place for pretty lamps guaranteed to add a fresh look to any room.)

The entire store is colorful in a jewelbox kind of way - but it's all so touchable and approachable. Read more about Amber's fabulous shop and be sure to swing by next time you're in town. 4346 Lovers Ln. Dallas, Texas. 214-691-0000. ShopStellaDallas.com

Posted at 07:19 PM in dallas, entrepreneurs, furniture, glamorous gifts, shopping, show me your dallas | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

March 24, 2011

Show Me Your Dallas, Emily Johnston

Yesterday delivered an amazing kickoff for a new series I'm hosting: Show Me Your Dallas. One by one I'll be exploring the city with bloggers, designer and new friends. Yesterday Emily Johnston of EJ Interiors and founder of Material Girls blog was my gracious southern host. Emily and I have "known" one another for years. We were to of only a handful of interior design bloggers on the scene years ago. Today the landscape of blogs is so fast that it's fun to meet one of the "original" crew.

Emily is a true Dallas girl. She knows the ins and outs of Uptown, the Design District and the jewel that is Knox/Henderson. In so many ways it was like cruising around with a longtime girlfriend. Funny how long you can "know" someone online before you finally have the opportunity to meet. We had a great time shopping (of course) and enjoying the early Dallas spring weather (perfection!).

As we drove from one cool shop to another we dished all things interior design while separated by a bolt of Oscar de la Renta fabric between us. It's nice to see I'm not the only one who still need to invest in an SUV! (Love you, Emily! I'm normally trying to fit an oversized mirror in my sedan!)

Our first stop was Again & Again, a Leslie Pritchard boutique I'd seen mentioned in the latest FD|Luxe Magazine. We arrived too early (of course!) so we headed straight for what was to be my favorite stop of the day: Leslie Taylor Home.

The moment we stepped through the massive carved wooden doors I was smitten. Good thing Emily didn't drive an SUV, or we'd have been hauling away some fabulous French-influenced finds. The best way to describe this lovely designer showroom is to reference Suzanne Kasler's collection for Hickory Chair (which, by the way) is just around the corner). It has her feminine touch, soft color palette and "I've just stepped into my well-heeled Parisian girlfriend's apartment" vibe.

While there we chatted with Debbie Plimmer, who graciously offered to take our photo and enthusiastically chat about the rise of the design blogger community. Debbie seems to know everyone and everything and convinced me that there are many more areas of town yet to uncover. While chatting, the gorgeous Alana Villanueva of Dallas Decorum stopped by - another designer in the area I'm sure to run into again soon. Obviously Emily & Alana know that LTH is a treasure trove of fabulous furniture and accessories. I was very impressed that the showroom even offers impeccable lighting and area rugs. I plan to make this one of my regular stops when I'm out sourcing for goods. And, let's be honest, incorporating some of these terrific pieces into my own home as soon as possible.

If you're in the design district you MUST visit this incredible store. They are redesigning their site and periodically host designer/blogger parties. I can't wait to attend the next one. In the meantime, visit them on Facebook for more info!

Stay tuned for part two of the excursion tomorrow. Next stops: White Elephant, Found and Again & Again.

Posted at 10:18 AM in dallas, design, designers, furniture, interior design, shopping, show me your dallas | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)